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Va. parents want to collect sperm of son on life support

Published On: Oct 31 2012 01:37:26 PM EDT

ROANOKE, Va. -

The parents of a 19-year-old man on life support in a Roanoke hospital want to harvest his sperm so they can have grandchildren if he dies.

Experts in medical ethics and the law say it's a complicated issue, with no simple answers. The injured man, Rufus McGill II, is an adult. That means Rufus and Jerri McGill are no longer considered his legal guardians, and it's unclear what rights they have.

Jerri McGill tells The Roanoke Times that they've called lawyers about getting a court order, but none were interested in taking the case.

Rufus McGill has been in critical condition at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital since an Oct. 14 car crash in Franklin County that involved six people and killed a 15-year-old girl.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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